Mitsubishi has revealed the latest version of its L200 one-tonne pick-up in Bangkok, Thailand – and says that it has made more than 2400 changes to the machine including a new look and enhanced safety features.

The revamped version of the fourth-generation pick-up comes just three years into its life cycle, to mark the 40th anniversary of the model. The L200 will first go on sale in Thailand and other Asian markets – where it is known as the Triton – before being rolled out to 150 countries worldwide. The revamped pick-up is due to arrive in the UK around late summer next year.

Mitsubishi COO Trevor Mann said that the changes to the L200 were “significant” and far exceeded a regular midlife update, adding that they were designed to “reinforce what this car should be”. He added that the relatively early update "made sense" because the company could identify opportunities to improve it.

The revisions include a new design that features the brand’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ grille concept at the front, along with revised headlights to give it more road presence. There are also extended wheel flares, new accents and revised bumpers and rear lights, and a revised interior.

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While UK specs have not been finalised, the L200 will feature two different four-wheel-drive systems, and a number of new drive modes. These include new off-road drive modes for gravel, snow, sand and rock that help to regulate engine power, transmission and braking to reduce wheel slip. A hill descent control system has also been added. The five-speed manual gearbox has been replaced by a six-speed automatic.

The pick-up includes a range of driver assistance features, including forward collision detection, blind spot warning and rear-cross traffic alert.

Mitsubishi also cites a number of smaller ‘detail’ changes, including larger front brake discs and calipers, and larger rear dampers to smooth performance. The firm did not give specific details on those parts.

The L200 is one of Mitsubishi’s bestselling vehicles in the UK, rivalling the Outlander PHEV, and is increasingly popular among private buyers. The firm has yet to finalise exact UK specifications, including powertrain. The current version is exclusively sold in the UK with a 2.4-litre diesel engine.

The pick-up will be offered with single, club and double cab variants, although the single cab version won't be offered in Europe and the UK due to low demand in those markets.

British pricing has also yet to be confirmed, although with the extra safety equipment it is likely to be slightly increased from the current model. Pricing currently starts at £19,505 for the single cab entry level model, with the cheapest club cab costing £20,655.

The higher-spec Barbarian models, which account for the bulk of British sales, currently start from £26,980 for a double cab version.

The L200 will continue to be produced exclusively at Mitsubishi Motor's Thailand facility in Laem Chabang, south of Bangkok.

And next week in Commercial Vehicle Weekly we take a retrospective look at the Bedford Rascal.

I agree. Thus should be relegated to minor news on Autocar at best. These cumbersome slow beasts are driven at 50 mph in 60 mph limits up here in Scotland and are a pain in the proverbial as they meander up to speed.